Back in the days when I was studying, it was usually seen to be cool to be in science stream while in high school, and some sort of engineering or computer science classes in university. We often made the mistake by thinking that those who chose to go into accounting or financial studies did so because they can’t get into the “cooler” subjects.

I couldn’t be more wrong, and subsequently, thinking about future finances and especially investment were exactly within my radar even years after I started work.

InvestSmart launched by YB Khairy Jamaluddin, Minister of Youth & Sports
InvestSmart launched by YB Khairy Jamaluddin, Minister of Youth & Sports

Thankfully, Securities Commission Malaysia is now taking initiatives to encourage the youth and young adults to take a more serious look into this aspect of our lives.

Last week, I attended an investor education initiative by Securities Commission Malaysia at Taylor’s University Lakeside Campus and got to learn quite a bit about this particular topic that I should have learned years ago.

The event also launched InvestSmart with the aim to help Malaysians to become more informed and be self-reliant investors who are able to make sound investment decisions in our capital market.

speeches by Mr. Pradeep Nair, Datuk Ranjit Ajit Singh, and YB Khairy Jamaluddin
Speeches by Mr. Pradeep Nair, Datuk Ranjit Ajit Singh, and YB Khairy Jamaluddin

The event was kicked off by a speech from Mr. Pradeep Nair, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Taylor’s University, who entreated that Malaysia lacks behind Indonesia China Korea Singapore in entrepreneurship rate and that institutions must play larger role to nurture entrepreneurial skill.

Datuk Ranjit Ajit Singh, the chairman of Securities Commission Malaysia mentioned that Malaysia has 2.7 trillion ringgit in stocks, or roughly three times our GDP, the country also has the worlds largest Islamic market and we are ranked 4th in the world in terms of investment protection. The key is to educate investors to be money wise, empower them to reach personal financial goal, and to reduce investment scams.

YB Khairy Jamaluddin then took over the stage before launching the InvestSmart application, and mentioned that 60 people in Malaysia goes bankrupt everyday, cost of living is going up, and EPF is no longer sufficient as the sole vehicle for retirement funding. We should start saving more than the mandatory and invest wisely. The government is also providing investment incentives for the youth via PRS scheme to encourage investments amongst the younger population. His key massages were that we need to be wary on ponzi schemes, and the stock market isn’t a regulated casino.

panel discussion with Hidayah Hassan, Hugh Koh, Shanker Joyrama, and Adrian Yap
panel discussion with Hidayah Hassan, Hugh Koh, Shanker Joyrama, and Adrian Yap

The panel of Hidayah Hassan, Hugh Koh, Shanker Joyrama, and Adrian Yap then took over the stage and shared their entrepreneurial journeys with the audience. They were the creative director of Cipela, co-founder and creative director of Pastle and Mortar, Founder & CEO of Orion Social Media, and the founder of Urbanscapes Arts Festival.

Each provided sound advice and valuable lessons to the crowd.

InvestSmart application on iOS and Android devices
InvestSmart application on iOS and Android devices

At the end of the speeches and panel discussion, I immediately downloaded the InvestSmart application to check it out, and I must say that the amount of information packed in this neatly packaged software is quite impressive.

Available in both English and Malay, you can find licensed intermediaries, who to check with for a product, the list of capital market institutions, and so forth.

built in handy financial calculator
built in handy financial calculator

There’s also a handy financial calculator you can use to figure out what sort of return you can expect if you invest certain amount of money. For example, if you start with RM 5000 and invest RM 1000 every month (not different from buying a car) with an expected return of just 5%, by the 10th year you’ll have RM 164,164 in your account. Pretty neat isn’t it?

is this a genuine investment?
is this a genuine investment?

Additionally, and perhaps one of the most useful features is one that is aptly named “Is this a genuine investment?”. This section guide you through a series of questions and advise the user if the investment opportunity is genuine or possibly a scam. When anyone approach you for some business opportunity or quick rich schemes, do run it through this.

Outside the lecture hall, there were also games available for students to learn more about investment. It was overall a pretty cool initiative taken by the Securities Commission. I urge you to download the InvestSmart application on your devices, and to check out  www.investsmartsc.my

With all the handy tools available in the InvestSmart App, start investing and start saving the smart and simpler way!

InvestSmart by Securities Commission Malaysia

12 thoughts on “InvestSmart by Securities Commission Malaysia

  • July 1, 2014 at 6:28 pm
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    Sounds like a cool event, must have learned a lot!

    Reply
    • July 1, 2014 at 8:40 pm
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      Ken: yah, good to learn something new. 🙂

      Reply
  • July 2, 2014 at 8:03 am
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    Sorry my comments have not been so regular. I’m traveling until August. Still checking in on your latest adventures though 😉

    Reply
    • July 2, 2014 at 9:36 am
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      The Yum List: would love to be in your shoes!

      Reply
  • July 2, 2014 at 11:09 am
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    Third World mentality – everybody wants to be a doctor, an engineer… In the developed nations, they do what they choose – follow the heart, not like the students (parents) here.

    Reply
    • July 2, 2014 at 12:07 pm
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      suituapui: I guess there are pros & cons in both mentalities though.

      Reply
  • July 2, 2014 at 11:35 am
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    I cannot find this app in my itune store

    Reply
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